[New drugs for horses and production animals in 2017].

The research article reports that in 2017, no new pharmaceutical ingredients were launched in the German market for horses and food-producing animals. Nonetheless, four well-known veterinary drugs were approved for use in additional species, and one drug that combines new active ingredients and one with a new administration method were introduced.

Use of Established Veterinary Drugs in New Species

• The article focuses on four well-established pharmaceuticals that were endorsed for use in other species. These pharmaceuticals have distinct roles in treating pathologies in animals:
• Fluralaner, an ectoparasitic component of the isoxazoline group initially used for controlling ticks and flea infestations in dogs and cats, was approved for chickens in 2017. This drug, marketed as Exzolt®, impacts the nervous system of the parasites, causing their paralysis and eventual death.
• Two macrolide antibiotics, Gamithromycin (Zactran®) and Tulathromycin (Draxxin®), which belong to a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics generally targeting a variety of bacteria, were cleared for use in sheep.
• The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Tolfenamic Acid (Tolfedol®), which belongs to the fenamate group and is primarily used to relieve pain or decrease inflammation in animals, got clearance for use in cattle and pigs.

New Drug Developments

• Despite no new active pharmaceutical ingredients being launched, there were some notable developments in the animal pharmaceutical industry. These include the introduction of a drug with new active ingredient combinations, a drug with a new pharmaceutical form, and a drug with a new mode of administration.
• The details of these new developments were not specified in the article. However, they might provide more effective or more convenient treatment options for food-producing animals and horses.

Understanding the implications

• The adaptation of existing drugs for new uses can have significant implications for animal health, potentially providing more effective treatments for a wider range of animals.
• The development of drugs with new active ingredient combinations, pharmaceutical forms, or administration modes may enhance animal healthcare by improving drug effectiveness, reducing side-effects, enhancing user compliance, or reducing treatment costs.